Bradley Disbrow, Wheaton Warrenville South High School

Tribune photo by Chuck Berman

Making the world a better place isn't a cliche for Bradley Disbrow  it's a heartfelt goal. The Wheaton Warrenville South High School senior speaks passionately about a future in public health and public service, as a doctor at the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He hopes to eradicate diseases that plague the downtrodden and bring more adequate health care to impoverished countries. "You can never help people too much," said Disbrow, 18. His mom and dad encouraged him to try everything, so the straight-A student tackled a load of college-level Advanced Placement courses, scored 35 on the ACT and ranked third in his graduating class. He also pursued interests from playing mellophone in the marching band to serving as editor in chief of the student newspaper. He talks proudly about earning the rank of Eagle Scout for leading a project to repair and paint a church meeting hall. "I've always said he is going to move mountains," said Kelly Petring, his school counselor. Disbrow is headed to Michigan State University to study international relations and pre-med and participate in a science, technology, environment and public policy program. He's also planning to assist a professor in a biomedical lab, part of a program for honors undergraduates. The study of diseases has always interested him, Disbrow said, sparked in part by Michael Crichton, a famed author with a medical degree. "'Jurassic Park' got me hooked," he said of Crichton's best-seller. His essay for the All-State competition was a Crichton-like account of villagers near an African rain forest, mysteriously immune to diseases. -- Diane Rado

Making the world a better place isn't a cliche for Bradley Disbrow  it's a heartfelt goal. The Wheaton Warrenville South High School senior speaks passionately about a future in public health and public service, as a doctor at the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He hopes to eradicate diseases that plague the downtrodden and bring more adequate health care to impoverished countries. "You can never help people too much," said Disbrow, 18. His mom and dad encouraged him to try everything, so the straight-A student tackled a load of college-level Advanced Placement courses, scored 35 on the ACT and ranked third in his graduating class. He also pursued interests from playing mellophone in the marching band to serving as editor in chief of the student newspaper. He talks proudly about earning the rank of Eagle Scout for leading a project to repair and paint a church meeting hall. "I've always said he is going to move mountains," said Kelly Petring, his school counselor. Disbrow is headed to Michigan State University to study international relations and pre-med and participate in a science, technology, environment and public policy program. He's also planning to assist a professor in a biomedical lab, part of a program for honors undergraduates. The study of diseases has always interested him, Disbrow said, sparked in part by Michael Crichton, a famed author with a medical degree. "'Jurassic Park' got me hooked," he said of Crichton's best-seller. His essay for the All-State competition was a Crichton-like account of villagers near an African rain forest, mysteriously immune to diseases. -- Diane Rado